Preparation of Talkheh essential oil and evaluation of its larvicidal activity on Malaria Vector

Background: Extensive use of chemical larvicides to control larvae, has led to resistance in vectors, environmental pollution, insecticides accumulation in the food chain and adverse effects on non-target species. More attention has been paid to the use of natural products such as plant essential oils. In this study for the first time, the essential oil of Acroptilon repens (Talkheh) was developed and evaluated against Anopheles stephensi larvae. Methods: Fresh samples of A. repens were collected from Urmia, West Azarbaijan province, Iran. Using Clevenger type apparatus for extracted oil. Components of A. repens essential oil (AEO) were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). All larvicidal bioassay tests were performed according to the method recommended by the World Health Organization and using ۳rd and ۴th instar larvae raised under laboratory condition. Results: One hundred and eleven components were determined, with five major components including Caryophyllene oxide (۱۲.۰۵۵%), α-Cubebene (۱۲.۰۵۴%), ۱-Heptadecene (۵.۱۸۱%), delta-Cadinene (۳.۷۷۱%) and β-Cubebene (۳.۷۷۱%) as listed in supplementary data. The LC۹۰ and LC۵۰ values of AEO was calculated as ۳۵ ppm and ۷ ppm. AEO was able to kill ۱۰۰% of larvae in ۴ days. Conclusion: The essential oil studied showed good larvicidal properties against An. stephensi. The use of nanoformulation techniques will increase the stability of AEO in nature. It is important to screen native plant natural products, searching new materials and preparing new formulations to develope alternative interventions with a long-lasting impact.

کلیدواژه ها:

Acroptilon repens ، Larvicidal effect ، Vector control ، Anopheles stephensi